UNC epitomizes service mission

Long before Dance Marathon and UNC Habitat for Humanity thrust public service into the campus spotlight, UNC established a commitment to serve, an obligation to act as a University of the people.

That commitment has evolved and expanded, but it remains central to UNC’s mission, which states, “The University exists to ... improve the condition of human life through service and publication; and to enrich our culture.”

Provost Robert Shelton said progress relies on public service. “Steps forward … happen because we interact with others,” he said. “Service is a way of interacting.”

Over the years, service has assumed a tangible form on campus. The Carolina Center for Public Service, created in 1999, arose “out of the feeling that wonderful things were happening across the University, but there was not a cohesive unit,” said Director Lynn Blanchard.

“Public service is an integral part of this University,” she said.

The center works closely with campus groups, including two of the most visible: Dance Marathon and UNC Habitat.

“The important thing about both of those events is that it is not just the event, but the work done all year leading up to it,” Blanchard said. “The events really personify what Carolina students can do.”

Dance Marathon fulfills UNC’s mission to serve by helping people across the state, said Overall Coordinator Julia Shalen.

“The (N.C. Children’s) Hospital supports the whole state,” she said. “We are given the chance to help those people.”

This year, the Marathon raised about $184,872. Since its inception seven years ago, it has collected more than $850,000.

As the largest student fund-raising organization on campus, Dance Marathon uses many volunteers, Shalen said. Members of the overall committee devote about 15 hours per week, while other volunteers contribute anywhere from one day per year — as dancers — to 10 hours per week, she said.

“It is definitely worth it,” she said. “I wouldn’t do it if it wasn’t.”

UNC Habitat also personifies UNC’s mission to serve. “It is absolutely necessary for students to be involved in public service,” said Jessica Jerald, community outreach coordinator.

“Oftentimes, students are solely involved in academic work. It’s important to be well-rounded and give back to the community.”

The more than 2,000 students registered in UNC Habitat raise money and build houses for the less fortunate locally and internationally on trips to Thailand and Honduras, said Blitz Build Coordinator Becca Sowder.

“Habitat is a really well-known organization,” Sowder said. “But also, it’s a physical activity. You are actually doing something tangible to help people, rather than just raising money.”

Despite the visibility of Dance Marathon and UNC Habitat, other campus organizations are equally committed to service, Blanchard said.

“I hate to name any because you’re always at risk of leaving out a great organization,” she said.

Of the nearly 600 student organizations on campus, about 50 identify themselves as service groups.

One such group is APPLES Service-Learning Program, which incorporates service with academic work. “Public higher education is the result of public support,” said Assistant Director Leslie Parkins.

“This is a wonderful way to give back to a community that has been very supportive of us.”

UNC is ahead of other area universities in its involvement, said John Barnhill, executive director of the North Carolina Campus Compact, a coalition of 22 college and university presidents and chancellors established to support community service.

“Service is an essential mission of all universities,” he said. “Chapel Hill is a model campus of fulfilling that mission.”

Shelton said UNC’s commitment to serve is unique. “I’ve never seen the sense of engagement with the community as we have here,” he said. “We’re absolutely at the top.”

Dance Marathon and UNC Habitat allow passionate students to unite, he said. “Their role is to provide a vehicle for individuals to serve. They are an opportunity for people to get involved.”

Even groups that are not defined by service incorporate it somehow, said Jon Curtis, assistant director of student activities and organizations.

“There is no service requirement; it’s really something they take on,” he said.

“There’s this sense of duty and obligation — and I mean that in the most positive way — to serve.”

Shelton said Greek organizations are some of the biggest contributors to community service.

Members of sororities are frequently engaged in service, whether for a personal cause or for a chapter’s national philanthropy, said Julie Wald, a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority who has served on the Panhellenic Council.

The council pledged $3,500 to the Dance Marathon this year.

In addition, four of the 12 Dance Marathon committee chairmen are sorority members. “We feel like this is such a worthwhile organization,” she said.

Shelton said students often develop a penchant for service before attending college.

“Students bring service in and continue with it,” he said. “It’s a mental muscle; it gets stronger as you exercise it.”

Service even plays a role in obtaining admission, which Shelton said shows that students are using their talents to benefit the community. “It’s a hallmark of Carolina and its students,” he said.

Barnhill said service is important because of both short-term and long-term effects.

“It is important to serve, but on a deeper level, if we didn’t have students learn about issues, they wouldn’t be able to tackle them in their future careers,” he said.

The goal of the NCCC is to learn about social issues and find solutions, Barnhill said.

Dance Marathon, UNC Habitat and many other campus organizations are working steadily to reach that goal.

“I think it comes down to the responsibility that each of us has to give something back,” Curtis said.

“All of us here at this University are fortunate, blessed to be able to be here. The most endearing quality is when students realize that.”

Contact the Features Editor at features@unc.edu.